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On Saturday morning at 0653 hours a Pacific National Train derailed at the 712 km mark between Bates and Barton South Australia, on the Nullarbor Plain.
Thirteen of the rear twenty-one wagons were derailed.
An expert from Pacific National travelled to the site to inspect and give clearance prior to the commencement of an investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and recovery work by ARTC.
At 0950 hours this morning, the ATSB handed the track back to the ARTC for recovery and repair.
Around 800 metres of track has been damaged and in need of repair and replacement.
Due to the terrain, a platform for the cranes is currently being constructed to give them better access.
An assessment will be conducted late today to establish an estimated time for the track to be re-opened.